Whether you are testing the waters, looking to make a career 180, struggling with job security or are miserable in your current role – the first step toward finding or changing jobs is a resume, and more often than not, an updated LinkedIn profile. As someone sought after to resume and LinkedIn professional services, I work with everyone from exceptional writers and communicators to those that absolutely dread the thought of putting pen to paper.
Before you decide to outsource and hire a professional or determine its best to go it alone, ask yourself these questions.
If you’ve been job hunting, are you seeing results? If you haven’t yet started, is your field competitive? Are you aiming to make a drastic leap into a next-level role or even a new industry? Has it been ages since you’ve had to write about yourself?
If the answer to these is no, and you trust your writing talents, then investing in a professional may not make sense. However, if your responses are yes, then collaborating with a professional may be worth exploring. If you are contemplating working with someone to craft your resume and LinkedIn, it’s important to do your homework.
#1 CERTIFICATION
Anyone can hang a sign on the door and say they are a professional coach or writer. However, there are also several credentialing bodies out there that can increase your peace of mind – knowing the individuals you are speaking with have been vetted.
#2 METHODOLOGY
Once you begin researching, you’re sure to discover that everyone has a different approach. The trick is to find the approach that works best for you.
For instance, are you comfortable listening to a webinar and/or working with someone via email or would you prefer to work hand-in-hand with a writer? How much up-front prep are you prepared to do before working with your writer? Would you rather work with a company that has a team of employees or an individual?
I recommend figuring out which style makes you most comfortable and proceed from there.
#4 TRUST & VERIFY
Successfully working with another person on your career marketing materials requires a shared level of trust. You can gain this through verification, by reviewing recommendations on LinkedIn, on their professional websites, and by asking friends for names.
Many confident in their work will also be comfortable submitting samples – so be sure to ask.
#5 INVESTMENT
Fees for the development of career marketing materials can depend on a variety of factors – from where you live to how many years of experience you have, how many years of experience they have to the complexity of your role and aspirations. Your research should give you a sense of the kind of budget you will need to work with to have your needs met.
Collaborating with a career marketing professional to distill your lifetime of work into documents that present you in the best light possible requires research and careful consideration. Share on X. Do your homework and determine your deal-breakers before taking the plunge.
Previously appeared on Forbes.com
In need of some career advice, guidance about how to write an executive resume or a rebranded LinkedIn?
As the founder and chief writer at Virginia Franco Resumes, offering customized executive resume and LinkedIn profile writing services for the 21st-century job seeker, I’d be happy to chat! BOOK NOW for your free resume consult.
VAFrancoResumes@gmail.com | VirginiaFrancoResumes.com | Call/text 704-771-8572